Trump Orders Immediate Repairs for Reflecting Pool
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that repair work on the Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. will begin 'immediately' after he conducted an aerial inspection of the landmark. The pool has been experiencing ongoing issues, including a significant algae bloom that has turned the water green, and alleged vandalism, despite a multi-million dollar renovation that included a new coat of blue paint.
According to Trump, the pool may require draining and refilling for the second time this month. His announcement came via Truth Social after his helicopter flight back from Camp David. He claimed that vandals had marred the pool's paint ahead of the nation's 250th Independence Day anniversary on July 4th.
Allegations of Vandalism and Legal Action
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C., has pledged aggressive prosecution for anyone found to have damaged the pool. She stated on Fox News that individuals involved in vandalism or attempted vandalism would face the criminal justice system.
A senior Trump administration official reported that five individuals were arrested for vandalism and five others received citations from police on Saturday night. A total of 14 police reports have been filed, including one incident where Trump alleged a blade was used to create a "250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade." The U.S. Park Police, responsible for patrolling the National Mall monuments, did not immediately confirm these arrest figures.
Persistent Problems Despite Renovation
The Reflecting Pool, constructed in the 1920s and spanning 2,030 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has historically faced challenges such as leaks, structural decay, faulty piping, algae growth, and bird droppings. Despite an estimated $13 million renovation, the pool has continued to be plagued by algae and, more recently, issues with the new paint peeling from the bottom, documented by media and visitors.
Trump's social media post, made as his helicopter approached the White House, expressed dismay over the alleged damage, stating, "WOW, who would do such a thing? SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!"
Former Olympian Denies Vandalism
On Friday, former Olympic athlete David "Davey" Hearn was arrested in connection with vandalizing the pool. Hearn, a champion canoeist, told the BBC that he did not commit any wrongdoing and was merely touching the peeling paint. He asserted that he "didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part" of the paint and that the pool's condition remained unchanged. Hearn described his arrest as an "arbitrary, capricious prosecution."
Algae Bloom and Environmental Concerns
Officials have reportedly used chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, to combat a green algae bloom that appeared after the pool was refilled following its recent paint job. A dead duckling was observed in the pool over the weekend, though its cause of death is unknown.
Rosalina Stancheva Christova, an aquatic ecology professor at George Mason University, sampled the pool water on June 16 and identified the green algae as Desmodesmus, a species she described as "absolutely harmless" to people or animals. However, she raised concerns that visiting birds could introduce other, potentially harmful, forms of algae. Christova emphasized the dynamic nature of these ecosystems and the need for constant monitoring to track the organisms present in the pool.
Source: After Trump inspects Reflecting Pool, he says repair work will begin 'immediately'